Workshops

:: UPCOMING WORKSHOPS ::

*e2i subsidy: $210 per eligible participant, T&C applies.

Full-Day Workshop

Seminar: Picture Exchange Communication System – Level 1 (Basic)

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an initial language-training package that is used to teach communication skills rapidly to those with limited functional speech. PECS is a unique training program that does not require lengthy prerequisite training, and promotes communication in a social context that the user initiates. Rather than building to spontaneity, as promoted by many other systems, PECS begins with spontaneous actions. The sequence of PECS phases incorporates an individual’s lack of sensitivity to socially-based reinforcers. Training in PECS begins by teaching a spontaneous request and goes on to teach additional communicative functions, such as responding to questions and commenting. An added attraction for pre-school children with autism and related disabilities is the high proportion of children who acquire independent speech after using PECS for a year or more.

Dates:

22 and 23 Nov 2018 (Thu and Fri)

Time:

8:30am - 5pm

Venue:

Copthorne King's Hotel Singapore403 Havelock RoadSingapore 169632

Speaker: Sophie Kerr

Sophie Kerr, BAppSci. (Disability Studies) (Honours) BEd, has worked in the field of disability in various capacities for the past 10 years with both children and adults whose disabilities rang from cerebral palsy to traumatic brain injury.Sophie's major focus over this time has been working with children on the autism spectrum aged between 2 and 14 years within Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programs both in Australia and the UK. She has worked on an eclectic range of programs which have incorporated various interventions including picture communication, social skills development, speech and language development, motor skill development and sensory integration. Sophie joined Pyramid Educational Consultants of Australia in 2008. She has implemented PECS in her clinical work with numerous individuals with autism and related disabilities.

Course Objectives

Discuss an historical and theoretical overview of language training programs used with non-verbal individuals

Describe in detail the Picture Exchange Communication System and its relationship to “traditional” training programs

Apply the procedures and instructional techniques related to a behaviour analytic orientation involved in implementing PECS

Course Outline

Overview of Pyramid Approach to Education

Functional activities

Reinforcement systems

Functional communication

Behaviour management

Prompting strategies and error correction

Understands that neuroplasticity is a life-long process

Traditional Approaches to Communication Training

Speech initiation

Sign language

Picture-point

Picture Exchange Communication Systems

PECS and its relation to typical language development

PECS and applied behavior analysis

Specific/Rationale for each phase

Discrimination training techniques

Additional Functional Communication Skills

Picture direction following

Wait, help, Yes/No, break

PECS and Its Relationship to the Pyramid Approach to Education

Schedule following

Reinforcement systems

Behaviour management

Who Can Benefit?

Speech pathologists, psychologists, parents/carers, occupational therapists, support staff, behavior analysts, program administrators, supervisors who have experience in implementing PECS and are familiar with training protocol, teachers in special education or mainstream setting working with children, adolescents and adults with limited communication skills (including autism)

Course Fees & Closing Dates

e2i subsidy: $210 per eligible participant

*e2i training grant is applicable to participant who is:

Singaporean or Singapore PR

Employed Social Service Professionals who work with clients with limited communication skills

Working in a registered company or Social Service Organisation (Company’s UEN / Organisation’s ROS number is needed)

Not receiving any other funding from government sources such as VWO-Charities Capability Fund (VCF)